Black Orchids out to get revenge

 THE Black Orchids are gunning for revenge in the forthcoming Kimbe Invitational Sevens rugby union tournament on February 21-22.

The crack outfit from the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB) were beaten 33-28 in the Cup final by the Kimbe Rebels in front of their home-crowd in November.

On top of that they were beaten by the Madang Mad Gauns in the Malangan Barbarians Cup final a month earlier.

Black Orchid coach Kelly Havara yesterday said losing two Cup finals within a month has strengthened their resolve to prove a point.

“We know where we have to improve on and this is a grand opportunity to go one step better,” he said.

“We are mixing with the top teams from Kimbe and Madang and after near misses we are now more than ready to break out,” he said.

Havara said it would be extra special if they beat the Rebels before their home-crowd as well.

“We know the Rebels are hard to beat at home but we have set our sights on breaking a few barriers to stamp our mark as a quality sevens team,” he added.

Havara said they have maintained the core of the team with playmakers Tsitom Semoso and Erik Kaiat, Pukpuk winger Hubert Tsereha plus Duncan Fama who is training with the Agmark Gurias but didn’t make the tour squad to Sydney next week.

“The only new face is former Lae Unitech player Monford Kehatsin,” he said.

He said the Black Rookies development team will also be taking part in Kimbe as well.

Havara said this Saturday the Rookies will play a trial match against local club Matsunga at Kahule primary School at 1pm.

The Black Orchids will be helping out with training of the Under 15 and Under 19 girls teams who are preparing to participate in a PNGRFU junior programme in Port Moresby during the women’s national provincial championships sevens next month. 

Black Orchids: Sam Afaifa, Jimmy Pahia, Kehatsin, Semoso, Kaiat, Tsereha, Austin Orif, Basil Garana, Fama, Richard Mongi, Albert Havara, Nathan Baramun.